Are There Any True Christian Denominations?

[BeHereNow]

Are any Christian denominations “true” Christian?

seen da light, in a separate thread, has told us some major denominations, in his opinion, are not true Christian. Among these would be Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Continental Reformed, and Methodists.
Here is his reasoning:

seen da light
I would like to foremostly agree with the fact that certain demoninations aren't in fact true Christianity.lets take for example the catholic church.
Nowhere does it tell christians to have a pope.Nowhere does it tell us to make church such a pompous precession of fancy dressed people.
What the catholic church does,is no where in scripture.It is traditions that have been added to the word of god.
another example is of the methodist church.Here they baptise babies. the commandments are clear ,to repent and be baptised.can babies repent?they don't even know spiritual right from wrong yet.so thus it is a tradition that is questionable when compared to the biblical model(note that is how you compare churches)

I think that a biblical church is the correct demnomination.
So most likely a charasmatic modern church who only go after what god says and are guided by prayer as opposed to human planning.
A denomination that follows the word of God down to the letter.
a biblical church...

any church, whether it be of any denomination, that if compared to the biblical model,is similar or exactly the same,with no traditions added to it.
that is a true denomination.
Denominations shouldn't exist, but it has been worldly traditions added to churches that have caused people to break away from it.because they have seen that it isn't the biblical.

So my comment to him was/is, please give an example of a true Christian church.

Please tell me which church “follows the word of God down to the letter”, including being “guided by prayer as opposed to human planning”.
I know a few denominations which may come close to meeting his criteria, but know of none that meet it.

He has not been willing to name such a denomination unless I PM or start a new thread, so here we are.

It seems a charismatic modern church might be a good candidate, but of course they disagree about the correct application of speaking in tongues and only a very few handle snakes, re: [And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.]

One criteria I will be looking for in seen da light’s true Christian church is observance of the foot washing ceremony. As the Bible says “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.”

So seen da light, are there any true Christian denominations?

[KnowJah]

I just don't see where "Jesus" forced anyone to believe or do anything. And I think the truest "Christians" would understand the absolute value of that.

-Mel-

Of COURSE Jesus does not force us. The only reason we should put faith in him is because we want to by our own free will and from our heart.

[melikio]

The only reason we should put faith in him is because we want to by our own free will and from our heart.

I don't know if I or anyone else sees it exactly the way you describe it; all I know is that "force" and "Jesus" just don't go together (as so many "Christians" tend to promote).

Free will; genetic programming...whatever (we don't really know); I just know the effect that love and certain concepts of it have had in my own life, plus what I've observed over time.

If not for the concept of love Jesus promoted, I would have had little to no interest in the Bible or Christianity (especially as it relates to the practical examples many Chrisitian people have set); I wouldn't be inspired one iota.

-Mel-

[KnowJah]

Well my religion is not 'mainstream' christianity. My religion doesnt teach that if you dont obey, you go to hell. That teaching is unscriptural.

[melikio]

Well my religion is not 'mainstream' christianity. My religion doesnt teach that if you dont obey, you go to hell. That teaching is unscriptural.

I understand. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears that you are a "Rastfarian"; I realize that isn't mainstream from a Christian perspective.

But I have typically held the view, that human beings DO DISAGREE about what is/isn't "scriptural". My primary contentions with others have to do with the manner in which they wield such disagreements or variances (which certainly exist).

I have very little intellectual and emotional tolerance for people who PUSH, FORCE or compel people toward what they themselves believe (their religion). I don't mind discussion and debate, I merely reject anyone's "DEMAND" that I must regard their religious views as being "particularlly-valid" (for anyone other than themselves or those of like faith).

Many people tend to have an "all-or-nothing" view of tolerating the religious (or non-religious) views of others. That is, if you disagree with them at any ONE point, or contend with them on a certain perspective, they will treat you as an adversary.

I suppose I'm able to point all of this out, because many people ARE adversarial over religion, and that is often by-design; they are taught to be that way (a teaching which I disagree with wholeheartedly).

I will usually discuss religion and differences readily with people, but as soon as they begin to infer that I must/should believe as they do, I too will become an adversary.

All of that has shown me that it is right and beneficial to regard The Golden Rule (to the best of my ability). In general, I'm tolerant of others, because I hope for them to be tolerant of me and my right to hold/practice the religious views I hold to be true.

"Are There Any True Christian Denominations?"

I'm not certain. (People are imperfect; we can definitely speak of absolutes, and we surely haven't mastered anything absolutely).

But it does seem to me, that God (if He truly exists, and I think someone like Him does) understand that people are DIFFERENT; and that those differences must surely be handled between us. And it seems to me that the most reasonable and useful evidence, points to people being mutually respectful and tolerant of others, is generally a good thing.

It all seems very basic, but I've seen this work for so many years in my life, I hardly question it anymore; and I DO cognitively-question ideas, doctrine and dogma which seek to challenge that overall view.

-Mel-

[KnowJah]

Well my religion is not 'mainstream' christianity. My religion doesnt teach that if you dont obey, you go to hell. That teaching is unscriptural.

I understand. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears that you are a "Rastfarian"; I realize that isn't mainstream from a Christian perspective.

I dont know what "Rastfarian" means. I'm not sure if I used the right word, but my christian religion is not part of christendom.

I have very little intellectual and emotional tolerance for people who PUSH, FORCE or compel people toward what they themselves believe (their religion). I don't mind discussion and debate, I merely reject anyone's "DEMAND" that I must regard their religious views as being "particularlly-valid" (for anyone other than themselves or those of like faith).

I couldnt agree with you more. I love to debate and reason but I hate arguments and battles.

[melikio]

Ok then; I really don't need to label you to make my points. I did think that you were possibly a Rastafarian, due to your screen name (KnowJah).

Much more on Rastafarians here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastafarian

And yes, we are definitely in agreement, in that people who use religion to PUSH, COERCE or DEHUMANIZE others, is something that is worth avoiding (as much as it is possible).

I think that MANY (dire) problems in the world today, could be greatly reduced or eliminated, if people would but treat other human beings as they themselves would generally like to be treated in return.

-Mel-

[KnowJah]

I am not a Rastafarian. That religious movement sounds rediculous. "Jah" is just a shortened form of Jehovah just like "Hallelujah."

[melikio]

That religious movement sounds rediculous.

Perhaps it's not sensible to YOU (or not something that you understand); still, it is not ridiculous to those who "believe" in it and "follow" it. (In fact, there are those who are VERY serious about it.) It's a form of "faith", not something that is based entirely in "logic", so the creative components of the human mind have likely had great influence in making "Rasta" what it is. But keep in mind, that most any "form" of "Christianity" might also be affected in the exact same way/s. When it comes to "faith", calling something unsensible/invalid, does not necessarily make it so; it's not the same as scientific reasoning. Religion tends to transcend that type of logic, and it's one reason that people should be fully aware that ONE religion cannot be for EVERYONE.

I mean, what do you think of the Native-American way of spirituality (for example)? Do our "Christian" beliefs (whatever version they may be), negate or make invalid the beliefs of those who have faith in that way? I personally do NOT believe that people are absolutely "disconnected" from God, merely because they have different view of what leads them to Him (The Creator). But again, that (for me) is based upon spirituality and faith, not necessarily what I can prove to every mind (whether Christian or secular) that may request or demand an answer.

And this really is something that many Christians of virtually all sects (and other religious people) have a very difficult time accepting (in a practical manner). I think/believe it is something that needs to change in time; but I also think the world will see a great deal more conflict before it does change (in my view).

-Mel-

[KnowJah]

Yes I apologize, i did not mean to sound harsh. Thats just the human response you know. For example if someone thought you were a mormon when you werent or whatver else. If I actualy spoke to a Rasfajarin, I would be very understanding to their beliefs.

[melikio]

Yes I apologize, i did not mean to sound harsh.

No, I wsn't looking for an apology; I didn't think what you said was particularly harsh, I just thought that it was something that could be offensive or insensitive to certain folks.

Thats just the human response you know. For example if someone thought you were a mormon when you werent or whatver else.

Yeah. People make fun of me all the time; when they see that my "appearance", doesn't match the typical perception of my ethnic group; I've learned to chuckle about it myself, but others aren't so understanding of that.

Another way I experience that (on an almost daily basis), is when I hear people spout their perceptions or beliefs about "homosexuals". In short, so much is often said, while so little is actually understood. I'm not out or openly "gay", so most people say what's really on their hearts about gay people in front of me. Although I'm in the closet by necessity, I do learn a lot about how people really feel, by appearing to be "straight".

If I actualy spoke to a Rasfajarin, I would be very understanding to their beliefs.

I understand what you are saying. But in my experience, I've found that I never really know who I'm talking to; so I gently feel for the reason/s people may possess for the worldview they do. Admittedly, I'm not always good at it (not always as "sensitive" as I believe I am).

No, I'm not politically-correct all the time, but I do remain sensitive to alienating others with my views. There's a wholesome balance in there, but it's not always easy to properly pursue it.

-Mel-